Case struck out due to failure of giving evidence timely

A MAGISTRATE struck out a case of causing grievous bodily harm after police failed to provide evidence in court on time.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar ordered that charges against Ellison Koikoi and Allan Eremas be stuck out and their bail money refunded because police had failed to finalise their case.
He made the orders in the Waigani committal court after the arresting officer based at Gerehu police station did not produce any file.
The case started on Sept 19 and three months lapsed on Dec 19.
Police prosecutor Sgt Joseph Sangam said the case was adjourned to yesterday to confirm with the arresting officer if he had any file for the case.
“The arresting officer had never called or showed up at the prosecution to indicate to us that he had something forthcoming, therefore I have no instructions on the case,” he said.
Koikoi, 21, from Malaguna and Eremas, 17, from Tinganlom, in Kokopo, East New Britain were charged with causing Shirley Aquila (Morobe), 69, grievous bodily harm.